Nev is a big part of Wayne’s world
ICON INSPIRES KEEPER TO 1OO CAPS
WAYNE HENNESSEY is determined to mark his century of Wales caps with a clean sheet tonight after being inspired by hero Neville Southall.
Hennessey will captain Wales for the visit of Czech Republic in a friendly.
The Burnley goalkeeper has won his place back in the side due to DannyWard’s knee injury.
Hennessey was born in Bangor and grew up idolising Southall, the legendary Everton goalkeeper, who also hails from north Wales and won 92 caps of his own.
And the 35-year-old Hennessey is thrilled to be joining the nation’s exclusive 100 club alongside Gareth Bale and Chris Gunter.
Hennessey, who made his international debut in a friendly against New Zealand in 2007, said: “It means a lot. It is going to be a huge occasion but it is all about representing my country and I want a clean sheet.
“I will be really happy with that, I’ll be disappointed if I let a goal in. Beyond that, I am going to keep going for as long as I can.
“There are not many players to have come from North Wales. I’m North Walian and my hero growing up was Neville Southall. I adore Nev, I thought he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the time. Some of the saves he used to pull off for Wales – what a goalkeeper.”
Last week, Hennessey returned to the side to help beat Austria 2-1 in their semi-final play-off for the World Cup.
Wales are now just one game away from Qatar 2022 and are waiting to play the winners of the other semi-final between Ukraine and Scotland.
Hennessey wants to put on a good display to continue to stake a claim for the No.1 jersey at the World Cup if Wales get there, having starred at Euro 2016. Having missed the opening match of that tournament in France with a back injury, he recovered to play the rest of the thrilling campaign as Wales reached the semi-finals.
He added: “Euro 2016 was special, it makes the hair stick up on the back of your neck.
“I want to keep showing I am in a good place and feeling really well.”
Away from the international scene, Hennessey has made 183 Premier League appearances and kept 37 clean sheets. Tonight’s game is a charity match to raise funds for Ukraine war victims and continue Welsh preparations for June, when it is hoped they will play their play-off final. Hennessey said: “Czech Republic is a good test for us and leads on to the games in June and either Scotland or Ukraine.”